Kazakhstan celebrates Day of National Symbols

Kazakhstan was on Tuesday celebrating the Day of National Symbols, which embody a people's centuries-old dream of sovereignty, besides inspiring them for great deeds and sacrifices.

The state symbols of independent Kazakhstan were approved June 4, 1992.

Speaking on the occasion, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said state symbols are inextricably linked, in a political sense, with the concept of sovereignty.

"They incorporate the values, principles and priorities, the historical fate of the country and are an element of its international positioning," he added.

Highlighting the fact that these three symbols - the flag, the national emblem and the national anthem, reflect the ideology of Kazakhstan as an independent state, its historical development, thinking and philosophy, President Nazarbayev said "its promotion and proper use contribute to the formation of national identity among citizens based on patriotism, love for the country, desire to serve its interests and willingness to defend it."

"The citizens' attitude towards state symbols shows their awareness of national identity, their belief in its future, their patriotism," he added.

Addressing the younger generation, President Nazarbayev said: "To be a patriot means to have Kazakhstan in one's heart".

The flag of Kazakhstan represents its sovereignty and identity. It was officially adopted in 1992 and was designed by Shaken Niyazbekov.

With a blue background, the flag has an image of the sun in its center with a soaring steppe eagle underneath.

The blue-sky colour symbolizes honesty, fidelity, integrity, peace, prosperity and unity.

The sun symbolizes wealth and abundance, life and energy.

The soaring steppe eagle represents power of the state, its sovereignty and independence, aspiration to high goals and sustainable future.

The emblem of sovereign Kazakhstan was officially adopted in 1992. Its authors were famous architects Zhandarbek Malibekov and Shot-Aman Ualikhanov.

The State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the shape of a circle (wheel). It is a symbol of life and eternity that was especially valued among the nomads of the Great Steppes.

The central heraldic element of the State Emblem is the image of shanyrak (an arched cross-shaped top of the Kazakh yurt) against a sky blue background which irradiates uyks (supports or bearings of the yurt) in the form of sun rays to all sides. On both right and left of shanyrak there are images of mythical winged quarter horses. At the top of Emblem there is a volumetric five-pointed star. There is also the inscription "Kazakhstan" at the bottom of the Emblem. The images of shanyrak, uyks, and mythical horses, as well as the inscriptions "Kazakhstan", have the colour of gold.

Kazakhstan's national anthem is symbol of socio-political consolidation and ethno-cultural identification of citizens of the country.

In the history of sovereign Kazakhstan the national anthem was adopted twice - once in 1992 and 2006.

Mukan Tulebayev, Yevgeny Brusilovsky and Latif Khamidi were the authors of the first anthem.

The new state anthem was adopted in 2006 in order to promote the country's sound symbolism.

It is based on the patriotic song "Menyn Kazakhstanym" (My Kazakhstan) which is popular among the people and written in 1956, with music by Shamshi Kaldayakov and lyrics by Zhumeken Nazhimedenov.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev modified the original lyrics of the song before it was approved by the Kazakh Parliament on January 6, 2006.